OMG! Have you seen the new TLT trailer? It is so awesome! It only went up on 11-18. It's the international trailer- if it doesn't start with Percy under water you have the wrong one. It's so awesome- I've seen it 22 times! Okay, back to the story. This chapter will shock you, surprise you, it might even terrify you! Now that the dramatic intro is over; say hello to chapter 4! (Just in case you're wondering, this story is taking place in early May, some people are arriving at camp for the summer) The story will make much more sense if you have a brief knowledge of the Trojan War. I have a reason for, WAIT! I'm getting ahead of myself. Just read.

Chapter 4- Tough Girls Don't Cry

I was in a forest. An unfamiliar one. I was running. There was something behind me. Something big, and apparently hungry.

There were people running with me. 5 pairs of feet (besides mine) were pounding on the forest floor as fast as they could. I took the chance of glancing over, Rachel was running next to me, she looked scared. Seeing usually level-headed Rachel looking like that freaked me out too.

There was a scream behind me, then a roar, then a growl. Then someone was screaming my name. "Annabeth, Annabeth!"

I sat up so fast I hit my head on the ceiling.

"Wow, Annabeth, watch it, it was just a bad dream." I groggily opened my eyes. My half brother, Malcolm, was standing over me. "its 8:30- you slept through breakfast. If you don't show up for archery, Chiron will get worried."

"Fine." I groaned, "I'm coming"

Malcolm left. I jumped down from my bunk. There was a faint humming from across the room. I had left Daedalus' laptop on again. I opened it. The last thing I had been looking at was his archives of magical items. Some of them I had heard of, even seen before, but most were unfamiliar to me.

I scrolled down the page.

-The shoes of victory (Nike's Rebooks!)- Shoes that will make the wearer victorious in their endeavors.

-Hermes' toothbrush- Part of the ultimate travel kit.

-The Scarf of Aphrodite- A scarf that will make people of the opposite gender fall in love with the wearer (only works while they are wearing the scarf)- Currently located at Camp Half-Blood.

I remembered that scarf- Percy and I had found it on that 1st quest we went on. We had to get Ares' shield and the scarf had been right next to it. When Percy picked it up- I overreacted and snatched it away from him- I had known what it could do- and apparently he hadn't.

I glanced at my watch. 8:40- I had only 5 minutes before archery. I shut down the computer and threw on some clothes- My orange Camp Half-Blood shirt, jeans, and some gray converse. I strapped my knife to my arm. I then "made" my bunk and ran outside.

The camp had transformed since last summer. We had gone from 12 cabins to 24, and more were in planning stages. There was double the amount of campers too- almost 200. Because of the increase, there were a bunch of campers here- and camp hadn't even officially started yet.

I ran past the big house. It was as large and grand as ever. It was tall, and light blue- though I overheard Connor and Travis coming up with a new "color scheme" the other day. The bronze eagle weather vane on the roof showed that the wind was blowing from the south. I heard a creaking noise and looked down at the porch. Someone was coming out the door.

I knew who it was before I even saw her. Who else would wear high-heels to summer camp? The Click-Clack of her shoes on the porch revealed it to be Danny. She creped out the door. She looked all around as if to see if someone was watching. When she was sure that no one could see her- she stuck something pink and fluffy into her bag and ran off in the direction of the stables.

Uh- Oh this can't be good. My watch beeped. 8:45- I ran off to archery.

A few hours later I had to run back to my cabin to get the plans for a new chariot design. I was about to go back to my cabin mates - but I saw something on my bunk- something that hadn't been there this morning. It was a note.

Once you get some free time- meet me at the beach- usual spot.

-Percy

I smiled to myself as I stuffed the note in my pocket and ran out the door.

The "usual spot" was an exceptionally beautiful spot on the beach. The craggy rocks sheltered a small hollow looking out to the shore. Perfect for talking, or sitting, or what ever.

I climbed over the last set of rocks to see Percy waiting for me. He wasn't alone, though.

Danny was with him.

I mean with him, with him. They were kissing so fiercely it was hard to tell whose mouth was whose.

Now- whenever I think about it- I feel angry and betrayed. Then, I just felt empty. My mind went blank except for one thought- Don't cry- Tough girls don't cry.

I backed up quickly, stumbling away- I was going to cry- I just didn't want them to see it. Don't look back, I told myself; but of course I did it anyway. What I saw defiantly didn't make me feel any better.

They had stopped making out at least. Now Danny was flashing me her signature mean girl smile. She was wearing the same clothes as earlier- ones that were way too nice for camp, but now, she wore a pink scarf. But that wasn't what I was looking at.

Percy looked strange. His expression blank and distant; his eyes had changed from their regular shade of beautiful bright green and they were now dark and dull and lifeless. When he looked at me it was as if I wasn't there; his eyes remained distant and I ran away from the horrible, heart-breaking seen.

I stumbled around, not knowing where I was going, and not really caring. In the rockier times of my relationship, I blocked out all of my emotions until I was ready to release them. I practiced this now, preferring the numbing emptiness to the unbearable heart-brake.

I was woken up from my oblivious state when I heard a growl from above me. I was in the woods and I was too distraught to fight whatever that thing was. So I ran.

The running felt good. To stretch my legs, to open up, to feel powerful. Even when I heard no monster in my pursuit, I kept running. I flung my arms out behind me and lifted my head up. Pine needles brushed me on both sides until I was jerked back. I was caught on something.

It was the charm bracelet. I had completely forgotten that I had had it on. Lies, it had all been lies last night. This is what I get for "opening up" to him. I really didn't want to think about it. I tore the bracelet off and threw it in the dirt. A little rash, I know, but I was angry. I went back to my oblivious sorrow.

A few minutes later another growl cut through the silent air. I looked up into the branches of a tree looming above me. Two blue eyes stared back. I was frozen. Why did I have to stumble into the forest of all places?

Then, I got a hold on myself. I grabbed my knife and held it defensively in front of me. The mysterious creature jumped down from its perch and stared at me. It didn't look like a monster. It looked just like a leopard. Spotted fur and strong, lithe, muscles. It's eyes ruined the image. They were large and blue and not fitting for the animal at all, they held a spark of intelligence.

"What's wrong?" said a voice. It was strong, I could tell it was a girl's voice, though it didn't sound particularly feminine. It sounded like animal cries in the background. The voice came from the leopard, whoever it was. I had a hunch.

"Josie?" I asked . The leopard smiled- Or at least I think she did.

"Yes" it said.

Then, Josie hunched over and gradually transformed. It was hard to look at. There was a bright flash of light and suddenly there was a girl standing in front of me.

She looked about 13 and was pretty tall. She had frizzy brownish-blonde hair that was escaping from the loose bun that was attempting to restrain it. She was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a white blouse. There was a splash of freckles across her nose. The only thing about her appearance that hadn't changed was the eyes. They were still deep blue, and full of concern.

"What's wrong?" she asked again.

I told her. There wasn't much to tell. But it felt good to get it off my chest. As I told her what happened, I didn't even believe what I was saying, it felt like some tacky love story I was summarizing for her. When I finished, the numbness in my brain returned.

"I think I know someone who can help." Josie said, but I barely heard her.

She led me through the forest. Back onto the beach and up a hill. We were halfway up the stairs before I realized where we were going.

We came to the mouth of the cave. There was a purple curtain over the entrance. Josie pulled a rope and a bell rang inside of the cave.

"Hey Rachel!" she yelled, "Get your lazy butt out here, your best friend is having boy troubles!"

The curtain opened and Rachel came out. When she saw my face, she knew something was wrong.

"Come on in"

Rachel's room had been remodeled from the old Oracle's quarters, but they hadn't been used for 50 years. So I was enlisted to be not only the camp's head architect, but also the head interior designer.

The cave was large and light, and it was totally decked out. There was a big screen TV and plenty of places for people to sit. Rooms were divided by screens.

I sank down into a couch and stared at the wall. Rachel sat across from me and Josie stood silently in the corner. "Okay, so what happened?" Rachel asked me.

It wasn't as hard the second time. The words gushed out. Rachel's expression got angrier as she listened. I had a feeling that she already knew what had happened- she being the oracle and all, but I think she hadn't believed it until she heard me miserably telling the story as if my life depended on it, as if I was afraid of someone stopping me.

"It's okay" she said, her voice filled with pity. "I'm going to go talk some sense into the boy."

"Rachel, don't do that; I can deal with it." I tried to tell her, but she had blown her top. She stormed out of the cave, being mad at him for me.

Josie looked shocked, I guess she had never seen Rachel like that either. A few minutes later, we heard Rachel yelling, too far to make out what she was saying. Josie shot me a look, telling me with her eyes that she was going to check up on her. There was a flash of light and a hawk flew out the out of the cave.

Being alone made me feel worse, It allowed my thoughts to wander. I couldn't block my emotions any longer. The tears fell out silently. The cave was silent except for an occasional deep breath or sniffle. I felt like a sappy movie- but I couldn't help it. After I started, the tears wouldn't stop. I hadn't cried that hard since I had thought stupid Kelp Head was dead.

I heard the curtains open again. Rachel walked in, holding her right hand while Morgan walked next to her. Josie flew above them, still in hawk form. Morgan was in a purple tunic with black and white polka dot leggings. Which had a strange contrast with Rachel's usual ratty Harvard Art Department T-shirt and doodled on shorts.

"And this is why we don't try to give invulnerable people black-eyes." Morgan said, "Okay Rachel, I can fix it. Sit down."

She squeezed the purple stone around her neck- the same one she had been wearing last night. A staff appeared in her hand.

"It's a good thing I read ahead about healing, broken bones are a snap to fix. Forgive the pun." She pointed the purple stone embedded in the staff at Rachel's hand. There was a flash of light and the look of pain on Rachel's face subsided.

"Ah, that's better. Annabeth, there's something wrong with Percy." I had a feeling that Rachel wasn't talking about him turning into a cheating jerk. All of the previous anger faded from her eyes. "I have a hunch of what it is, but don't get your hopes up."

End of chapter 4! Wow- that was a really long chapter. You know what this story needs- some action. I'm going to try to put some in the next chapter. Which is hopefully coming soon- I'll try to update. Please review! Compliments, criticisms, or comments- I just love to hear from people!